Protestors burnt the U.S. flag in Manila

MANILA, October 18 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Thousands of anti-U.S. protesters demonstrated in Manila and burned U.S. flags while five legislators walked out Saturday, October 18, while visiting U.S. President George W. Bush was addressing a joint session of Congress.

After burning the flags, about 7,000 protesters tried to march on the Philippines legislature, where Bush delivered a speech outlining Washington's commitment of more military aid help Manila fight what he termed as terrorism, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Five House of Representatives members walked out as Bush began his speech.

One of the five, J. Virgilio Bautista, unfurled an anti-war banner as he left his seat but marshals seized it from him.

"It did not create any disturbance. It was completely ignored by the whole House," argued House Speaker Jose de Venecia.

A small number of Filipino legislators who opposed the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq also wore pins that read "Legislators against War," but stayed to listen to the American president.

Several kilometers away, riot police blocked protesters as they tried to march on the Philippines parliament.

The protesters chanted anti-U.S. slogans and burned American flags and effigies of both Bush and Philippine President Gloria Arroyo, branding them as terrorists.

Thousands of policemen backed by troops barricaded the highway leading to the legislature. Bush's motorcade later used the same avenue.

Earlier Saturday, more than a dozen student protesters who tried to enter a park where Bush was laying a wreath at a monument to national hero Jose Rizal were forcibly dispersed.

Police beat them back with truncheons, but there were no arrests made.

Bush and his wife Laura flew in from Japan around noon (0400 GMT) for the first state visit by a U.S. leader in the former American colony since Dwight Eisenhower in 1960.

More than 11,000 policemen secured the Philippine capital amid fears of a "terrorist attack", which were heightened after the police shot dead alleged Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) operative Fathur Rohman al-Ghozi.

The Manila government claims JI is the Southeast Asian proxy of Al-Qaeda network blamed – by Washington - for the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States.

Security officials, however, insisted there were no specific threats against Bush.

"Warm Friends"

After laying the wreath, the U.S. president held talks with Arroyo and promised her government more military and economic assistance.

"The United States and the Philippines are warm friends," Bush

Bush called the Philippines-U.S. military alliance a "rock of stability" in the Pacific, promising funds and training for Filipino troops to defeat JI and the Abu Sayyaf, a small group of militants blamed for the kidnapping deaths of two Americans and for bombings in the south.

"The United States and the Philippines are warm friends. We cherish that friendship, and we will keep it strong," Bush told the joint session of the Philippines Congress.

In what amounted to endorsing her 2004 reelection bid, the U.S. leader took pains to praise Arroyo during a brief joint public appearance as the two met at Malacanang Palace.

"I want to remind the people of this country what a great leader you've been when it comes to fighting terror. You've been strong and stalwart, and that's what's needed. We want to continue to help you," he said.

"We must close ranks and stand firm against terrorist threats, however grave, however armed, and from whatever quarter," said Arroyo, who has sought increased pledges of U.S. aid to combat violent groups.

"The terrorists will continue their missions of murder and suicide until they are stopped. And we will stop them," said Bush.

On Friday, October 17, communist guerrillas in Manila urged Filipinos to join street protests against the visit, but said they were not planning any violence.

The Filipino left wants Arroyo to cut Manila's mutual defense treaty with Washington and expel U.S. troops training Filipino soldiers in the south.

After a state dinner at Malacanang palace, Bush is to fly out to Thailand, the third leg of his six-nation swing through the region, to attend an Asia-Pacific economic summit.